Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-09
MAN VERSUS BRUTE.
A Mighty Hunter Encounters q
Panther md Eights Him.

A Mighty Hunter Encounters =
Panther and Fights Him.
We were dining at 8 O'Clock on the
eve of the hunt, when an Arab came
in hot haste to tell us that panther
had that very day at sunset carried off
a goat close under the nose of the
shepherd, and that the animal had
been seen to disappear in a ravine. l
did not stop to finish my dinner, but
although the night was dark and un-
favorable, at once prepared to set off.
The Arab who undertook to show me
the way took short cut through the
brushwood. My hunting knife was in
the way, and in order to rid myself OF
it l adjusted it nearer my waist, hav-
ing the slip holding it behind me.
L name this circumstance, as it
will be seen l thereby saved
my life. On arriving at the Arab
doaur near the ravine, the Arabs con-
Quoted me to a spot about 400 yards
off, on the edge of a broad and deep
gorge, saying, .'The panther is it the
gorge. Wait here and you'll be sure
to see her," They chose a little
group of bushes exactly suited to my
purpose, and 1 placed myself, having
the ravine at my back. The Arabs
then placed a goat about six yards OIL
and lett me, wishing me good luck.
A few minutes had hardly elapsed;
| had Just seated myself at my little
thicket, and had not as yet placed my
hunting-knife near me. Twas putting
back some branches that hindered
the free movement of my arms, when,
swifter than cannon-ball, the panther
had sprung upon the goat, killing 1t
Instantly. I held my breath, waiting
for ray of moonlight to permit OF an
aim; cloud just obscuring the moon,
when what was my astonishment to
see the panther carrying the goat
nimbly as a cat with mouse in Its
mouth, passing before me only three
wards off and directly opposite. The
recollection of my thirty-three nights
spent to no purpose flashed across me
in a moment Of anger, and forgetting
all my vows OF prudence, | fired at
huge mass close at hand. The animal
fell, uttering fearful roars. l had
broken his two fore paws. The slight
est movement on my part must now
attract his attention and prove my de-
struction. Prudence enjoined the
most absolute silence and motionless,
but fearing a surprise and wishing to
be able to fire second time, never
theless rose little. In doing so the
hood OF my burnouse was caught
by branch and dragged on to my
shoulder. This was another providen-
tial circumstance to which | owe my
life. At the slight rustling of the
branches the animal became perfectly
still. Hearing nothing, seeing moth
ing, supposed him to be dead. Now
bending down and moving with the
utmost precaution, was about to quit
my hiding place, still having my hand
on the trigger, when the panther per-
ceived me and sprang. l fired, but
the rapidity of the movement and the
darkness made me miss aim. My
ball entered the ground, just grazing
the animals neck, and more furious
than before he rushed upon me, hurl-
ing me down as if he were a steam
engine. fell underneath him, being
on my back and having my elbows in
the bushes which had served as my
hiding place.
The panther now tried to throttle
me, but, fortunately my throat was
well protected by the thick collar of
my coat, and also by the hood of the
burnouse, which had failed, as l have
before mentioned. With my left hand
tried to force back the animal, while
with my right made desperate efforts
to get at my hunting knife. My right
hand was mangled, but partly pro-
tected by the sleeve OF my coat; my
face also. Finding that l could not
get my knife, now fastened both my
hands around the animals throat,
trying to free myself that way. For
moment my head was in his jaws; |
smelled his horrid breath; then put
ting all the strength that remained in
to the final effort, l compelled him to
free ME. My left arm was now at
tackled and but for the thick coverings
would have been crushed like glass.
All this time l was on my back and
the panther was uttering fearful
howls. He now tried again to
get my head into his jaws, breaking
my Jaws, my cheek bone, crushing, as
it seemed, my head. l resisted as
we'll as could, and at last, for sec
ond time, freed myself, this time
pushing him SO vigorously that the
animal, unable to use his forepaws,
rolled over to the bottom of the
ravine. Delivered at last, and not a
moment too soon, l rose, not as yet
knowing what had become of the
enemy. At this juncture the Arabs
came up, having heard the struggle,
but not daring to venture out till all
was perfectly safe. The cries of the
panther had frightened their cattle
aud sheep, which rushed about, not
knowing where to hide themselves.
The Arabs would have carried me to
their douar and dressed my wounds
there, but 1 insisted on being taken
to the French farm at Corso, which !
had quilted few hours ago safe and
sound, returning more dead than
alive.-[Chamber's Journal.